12 Easy Crafts with Clothespins

Easy craft projects and creative organizing ideas you can do with these clever clippers.

Clothespins aren't just for hanging the wash! Check out our easy craft projects and creative organizing ideas you can do with these clever clippers.

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A Clever Homemade Trivet

A Clever Homemade Trivet

Whip up a Scandinavian-style table protector from–get this–wooden clothespins and floral wire. Oslo-born crafter Paul Lowe shares his easy how-to in Sweet Paul Eat and Make($30; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Simply disassemble 40 clothespins, lay them flat side down, and drill a hole in each, about ½ inch from the tapered end. Thread the pins onto the wire with the double-notched sides facing right, as shown. Then, pull the wire into a circle and twist the ends to secure. You'll be done before the kettle boils.

Alexandra Grablewski

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Clothespin Memo Holder

Clothespin Memo Holder

Now here's an idea you'll want to clip and save: Inspired by a post on aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com, this project takes advantage of wooden letters intended for sorority and fraternity paddles (3/8"-wide letters, 80 cents each; paddletramps.com). If you plan to paint your letters and clothespins (3/4"-wide clothespins, 75 cents each; bearwithusinc.com), start by sliding the clothespins apart into two pieces and setting the metal springs aside. Apply two coats of spray paint to both the clothespins and the letters, allowing one hour of drying time after each coat. (We used Krylon's Bahama Sea and Flat White, from $5.60 for 12 ounces; amazon.com.) Reassemble the clothespins. For each one, center a letter near the top, open edge, as shown; affix with wood glue ($5.95 for 4 ounces; amazon.com). Let dry for 30 minutes before using the clothespins to hang mementos from twine.

A Clever Homemade Trivet

Whip up a Scandinavian-style table protector from–get this–wooden clothespins and floral wire. Oslo-born crafter Paul Lowe shares his easy how-to in Sweet Paul Eat and Make($30; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Simply disassemble 40 clothespins, lay them flat side down, and drill a hole in each, about ½ inch from the tapered end. Thread the pins onto the wire with the double-notched sides facing right, as shown. Then, pull the wire into a circle and twist the ends to secure. You'll be done before the kettle boils.

Alexandra Grablewski

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Clothespin Memo Holder

Now here's an idea you'll want to clip and save: Inspired by a post on aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com, this project takes advantage of wooden letters intended for sorority and fraternity paddles (3/8"-wide letters, 80 cents each; paddletramps.com). If you plan to paint your letters and clothespins (3/4"-wide clothespins, 75 cents each; bearwithusinc.com), start by sliding the clothespins apart into two pieces and setting the metal springs aside. Apply two coats of spray paint to both the clothespins and the letters, allowing one hour of drying time after each coat. (We used Krylon's Bahama Sea and Flat White, from $5.60 for 12 ounces; amazon.com.) Reassemble the clothespins. For each one, center a letter near the top, open edge, as shown; affix with wood glue ($5.95 for 4 ounces; amazon.com). Let dry for 30 minutes before using the clothespins to hang mementos from twine.

Miki Duisterhof

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Circle Mirror

To make this mirror, start by painting a circular wooden plaque ($13.99; 11½"D; Michaels.com for stores) and 32 clothespins. When dry, use hot glue to affix a smaller round mirror ($19.99; 9"D; target.com) to the center of the plaque; let dry. Place a dot of hot glue one inch in from the closed end of a pin, and adhere to the mirror. Space the next pin ½ inch over and adhere; repeat to fill all the way around the mirror, making sure to fan the pins outward as you go. To finish, screw a large sawtooth hanger to the plaque's back and mount.

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Recipe Cards

For your next dinner party, write out copies of your beloved recipes on colored notecards, then decorate with stamps. Use clothespins to hang them from a length of ribbon near the door so guests can take them as they leave.

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Kitchen Cabinet Magnets

Pin up items to be kept out of sight, such as rubber gloves, sponges, and plastic bags, on the inside of a cabinet door. Using hot glue, affix magnets to the back of plain clothespins, then hang them on a cabinet or any magnetic surface. If your cabinets aren't metal, directly glue the clothespins to the cabinet.

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Storage Shelf

To construct this storage shelf, you'll need a 1'' x 6'' wood plank and a top section of door molding, both cut to the same length (ours measure 29 inches long). Use wood glue to attach the plank to the molding as shown; let dry for one hour. Paint the unit and seven clothespins; let dry. Apply hot glue to the entire back side of a pin, then adhere to the center of the plank so the pin is vertical, with the closed end down. Evenly space and adhere the other pins in the same manner. Let dry; screw large ring hangers to the back of the board and hang.

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Wrapping Paper Rack

Always wanted a gift wrapping station? Make a handy paper rack to hold all of your wrapping papers, cards, and festive accessories! Once it's made (or if you've got one already) use clothespins to clips cards and ribbons onto it, for easy access.

Sweet Treats

Supplies: Waxed bags, tissue paper, festive cards, and clothespins.

How-to: Waxed bags, available at most supermarkets, keep baked goods fresh. Then, make them festive! Cut decorations from tissue paper with pinking shears. Fold bag, add decoration or seasonal card, and close with a clothespin.

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Organizer Tree

Keep all of your papers and cards in order and on display with this easy, adorable organizing tree. First, using paint or marker, draw pretty patterns on clothespins. Then, after they dry, clip them onto a store-bought (or DIY) metal necklace organizer.

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Apron-Sided Table

To adorn an apron-sided table, determine how many clothespins you'll need to trim each side. Then paint the table and pins. When dry, apply hot glue to the entire back side of each pin; hold vertically against the apron, with the closed end facing down, until a bond forms. Glue the next pin directly beside the first; continue this process until the space is filled. Repeat on the other three sides, then allow the table to dry for one hour.